The Federal Authorities has expressed its dedication to inserting Nigeria among the many high 80 international locations on the worldwide Human Capital Index (HCI) by 2030.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima introduced this on Monday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in the course of the inauguration of the state’s Nationwide Human Capital Improvement (HCD) Accelerator Venture and the ARISE Human Capital Improvement Technique.
In line with a report by the Information Company of Nigeria (NAN), the Vice-President additionally inspected a number of ongoing ARISE HCD tasks, together with mannequin major colleges and the ARISE Park, an progressive environmental reclamation initiative.
Shettima expressed confidence that the nationwide ambition could possibly be achieved by way of the enhancement of workforce capabilities and improved socio-economic outcomes.
He recommended the Akwa Ibom State Authorities for being the primary to implement the nationwide HCD blueprint throughout all Native Authorities Areas.
“Each coverage or programme that intervenes within the lives of our individuals can solely succeed whether it is rooted within the grassroots.
“The true wealth of any nation lies within the certainty of its human capital, the training of its kids, the well being of its residents, and the productiveness of its workforce,” he acknowledged.
Launch of HCD 2.0: A brand new part of human capital growth
He highlighted that the Federal Authorities had launched the second part of the Human Capital Improvement Programme (HCD 2.0), which builds on the primary part with a stronger give attention to integration and measurable impression.
“At its core, HCD 2.0 is about integration and impression. It’s constructed on the muse of HCD 1.0 however goes additional to include cross-cutting themes.
“What Akwa Ibom State has demonstrated right here isn’t simply progress; it’s management.
“To make sure continuity and sustainability, the Vice-President introduced plans to institutionalize a Human Capital Improvement Fund.
“We’re working to institutionalize the HCD Fund to make sure that irrespective of who occupies these workplaces tomorrow, the investments we make in individuals as we speak will endure.
“If we should meet our goal of reaching an HCI rating of 0.6 and turning into a top-80 nation globally by 2030, we should act with boldness. Implementation should be swift. Knowledge should information us. Financing should be progressive,” Shettima stated
Knowledge-driven coverage implementation
Shettima emphasised the significance of data-driven coverage implementation and introduced the introduction of an HCD Dashboard to trace key indicators in actual time.
“We’re deploying knowledge not for stories, however for outcomes as a result of behind each quantity is a narrative: a toddler not vaccinated, a mom misplaced to childbirth, a youth with promise however no pathway.
“These usually are not mere statistics. They’re realities, and we should confront them with urgency and compassion,” he acknowledged.
He praised Akwa Ibom’s progress, highlighting metrics the place the state surpassed nationwide averages.
“With an under-five mortality fee of 80, in comparison with the nationwide common of 110, your state is already displaying outstanding progress.
“And with solely 3.5% of primary-age kids out of faculty, far under the nationwide common of 25.6%, you aren’t merely compliant with our nationwide imaginative and prescient; you might be forward of the curve,” he added.
As a part of the nationwide technique, Shettima unveiled Venture Fuuku, a clear cookstove initiative that builds on a profitable pilot in Nasarawa State.
He highlighted that the challenge addresses public well being, environmental, and gender fairness challenges.
“This intervention is greater than only a public well being measure. It’s a gender-sensitive, climate-conscious technique that saves lives, preserves forests, and uplifts rural girls burdened by indoor air pollution and gasoline shortage,” he stated.
Earlier in his remarks, Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom described human capital growth as the muse of sustainable growth.
He assured that the state would proceed to put money into the initiative and collaborate carefully with the nationwide HCD group.
Plans to cultivate HCD programme in Akwa Ibom
He additionally revealed plans to ship an Government Invoice to the Akwa Ibom State Home of Meeting to cultivate the human capital growth programme and guarantee its implementation on the native authorities degree.
“We’re thrilled that our state was chosen as the primary for the inauguration of this programme. This reinforces the truth that the Federal Authorities below President Bola Tinubu doesn’t play politics with growth, and we deeply recognize this,” the governor added.
Ms. Rukaiya El-Rufai, the Nationwide Coordinator for Human Capital Improvement in Nigeria and Particular Adviser to the President on the Nationwide {Economic} Council (NEC), shared that Nigeria at present ranks 168 out of 174 international locations on the HCI.
She emphasised the significance of continuity and long-term planning, noting that Human Capital Improvement improves the well being and well-being of the individuals by making certain they obtain high quality training, efficient healthcare, and finally obtain their full potential.
